The developers at Colossal Order have come back after some time with new news regarding the strategy of Cities: Skylines II, but if you expect any dramatic improvement in the state of the game or even the console version, put the champagne back in the fridge. A post that appeared in the discussion forum or directly with the game on Steam brings the real answer to why the game is still only available on PC and the question of whether the console version will ever actually arrive in a satisfactory state. More than a year after the release of the game, representatives of Colossal Order admitted that the performance of Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 on Cities: Skylines II is simply not enough, and problems in the form of loss of fluidity appear every time, for example, players build a large building with more inhabitants.
We have news to share!
We’re announcing the next Patch and the next Creator Packs! We also have an update on the Console version and its development status.
— Cities: Skylines (@CitiesSkylines) November 25, 2024
The developers stated that they currently have the game stable and playable, but with one very important condition. To get closer to this state, they have reduced the graphics details very significantly, to a level they are not willing to accept. However, they believe that when they optimize the game even better and are able to set the graphics to be at least passable, then they will be willing to release the console version. But there is no information in the entire statement if there is any time frame for the aforementioned optimization in which players can expect the previously promised versions, so the release remains very uncertain. “Until we solve it [problémy]we cannot give you an estimate of the release date. Also to avoid premature and potentially misleading promises,” say the developers. At the very end, they confirm that the console versions remain the highest priority and say that they have several possible solutions that are “actively dealt with by experts”.
Finally new content
But to make the news not so gloomy, the developers simultaneously released a new regional pack, this time focused on Great Britain. This is, of course, the work of the community, namely authors with the nicknames Macwelshman and Rik4000, who have prepared a number of specific buildings and carefully crafted zones for the game. Thanks to them, you should have a fairly solid opportunity to create British towns, preserving their atmosphere and typical features, including service buildings for individual public service providers.
Source: Colossal Order
Cities: Skylines II Console Promises and British Towns – A Comedy of Errors
Ah, the saga of Cities: Skylines II continues! It’s like watching your favorite sitcom stretch into an awkward third season — you’re invested, but you can’t help cringing at the plot holes. I mean, have you heard about the developers at Colossal Order? They’ve finally come forward with some *news*, but if you’re expecting champagne-popping improvements, you might want to dig out your old board games instead. Seriously, put that bubbly back in the fridge, because the last time anyone checked, it was less “pop” and more “flop.”
Colossal Order: “We’re announcing the next Patch and the next Creator Packs!”
— Cities: Skylines (@CitiesSkylines)
Let’s not sugarcoat it; the current state of the game on consoles is about as stable as a one-legged giraffe on roller skates! According to their latest forum post — I mean, let’s face it, you really only find good news on the Internet if it’s wearing a tinfoil hat — the developers finally admitted that the performance on Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 is a bit of a mess. Every time a player builds something magnificent, it’s like watching someone push an elephant off a swing: fluidity goes straight out the window!
Performance Woes and Graphics Sacrifices
To achieve “stable and playable” (a threshold lower than my attempts at parallel parking), Colossal Order slashed the graphics so aggressively, you’d think they were running a clearance sale! We’re not talking about a modest discount here — we’re talking about ‘everything-must-go’ prices! They’ve brought the visuals down to a level they themselves admit is below par, like trying to sell a scratched vinyl at a hipster record store. Who wants that?
But there’s a glimmer of hope! The developers seem to think that with a bit more optimization (read: a miracle), they might restore the graphics to something resembling acceptable. They are *actively* working on solutions that are “highly prioritized,” which sounds suspiciously like a to-do list that’s been sitting on someone’s desk for way too long. “We cannot give you an estimate of a release date,” they said, further proving that their time management skills rival a teenager’s ability to get out of bed before noon.
New Regional Packs and Creative Content
But wait! Before you descend into despair, here’s where we find a silver lining—Colossal Order has just released a new regional pack focused on Great Britain. Talk about a delightful twist! It’s like finding chocolate at the bottom of your healthy snack bag. The creativity comes straight from the community, thanks to talented individuals like Macwelshman and Rik4000. They’ve prepared a wealth of iconic buildings and intricately designed zones that are ready to bring a taste of Britain to your virtual metropolis—think tea shops and pubs where you can build the best town that would make even the Queen proud.
Final Thoughts
So, what have we learned from this rollercoaster ride of news? Cities: Skylines II is like a car that runs on lemons — it’s rather wobbly on console, full of zesty potential, but ultimately needs a little more polishing before it’s fit for the road. Until the developers strap on their overalls and get down to work on those graphics, we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed and our champagne chilled for something that feels less like a rough draft and more like a polished feature film. Cheers to our British friends for helping add a bit of charm to this choppy sailing!
Stay tuned for more updates, and remember: while Cities may not be perfect yet, at least you’ve got a stunning new view of the British countryside to build in the meantime. Just don’t expect the console version to arrive any time soon. After all, this is a comedy and not a fast-paced action thriller!
The developers at Colossal Order have resurfaced after a lengthy hiatus with updates on the strategic development of Cities: Skylines II. However, if you’re anticipating significant enhancements to the game or even a functioning console version, it might be wise to set aside the celebrations for now. A recent forum post, made available on Steam, provides a clearer indication of the ongoing issues that have resulted in the game being limited to PC, raising concerns about the potential release of a console version that meets player expectations. Over a year post-launch, Colossal Order’s representatives have candidly acknowledged that the performance capabilities of the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 fail to meet the necessary standards for Cities: Skylines II. Players often experience a frustrating drop in gameplay fluidity, particularly when undertaking actions such as constructing large buildings teeming with residents.
We have news to share!
We’re announcing the next Patch and the next Creator Packs! We also have an update on the Console version and its development status.
— Cities: Skylines (@CitiesSkylines) November 25, 2024
Currently, the developers assert that while they have managed to achieve a stable and playable version of the game, there remains a crucial caveat. To attain this relative stability, they have made considerable reductions in graphical detail, scaling it back to a level they acknowledge is suboptimal. They maintain that with further optimization, if they can enhance the graphics to meet at least a minimal satisfactory standard, they would then consider the release of the console version. Yet, their statement does not provide any timeframe for when players might expect these essential optimizations or the long-promised console versions, leaving the release date shrouded in uncertainty. “Until we solve it [problems], we cannot give you an estimate of the release date. Also to avoid premature and potentially misleading promises,” emphasize the developers. In concluding their update, they reassured fans that console adaptations remain their top priority and noted that several promising solutions are currently under active evaluation by experts.
Finally new content
In a bid to lift the spirits of the community, the developers simultaneously launched a new regional pack focused on Great Britain. This delightful addition comes courtesy of community contributors known as Macwelshman and Rik4000, who have curated a selection of authentic British buildings and meticulously designed zones for the game. Their efforts provide players with the exciting opportunity to craft vibrant British towns while capturing the unique atmosphere and architectural characteristics synonymous with the region, including essential service buildings tailored for various public service providers.
Source: Colossal Order
